S.A.D. usually refers to depressive mood during colder months with shorter days followed by improvement in mood during warmer months and longer days. Pharmacologic treatment includes anti-depressants during the depressive season.

Bipolar does not necessarily fluctuate based on seasons and must include at least of period of hypomania at some time during which there may be decreased need for sleep with high energy and some other associated behaviors. Pharmacologic treatment is typically mood stabilizers since anti-depressants can increase the risk of mood cycling.

thanks for that info.could depression in the winter (follows a VERY precise pattern) with hypomania during the summer fall into the category of seasonal affective disorder? And if it does would it make any difference if was misdiagnosed as bipolar?

The information in this site is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. FrumSupport disclaims any liability for the decisions you, the User, makes based on information on this site. By using this site, reading, viewing, posting or otherwise, you signify your assent to the Terms and Conditions of Use. If you do not agree to all these Terms and Conditions of Use, please do not use this site. FrumSupport may revise and update these Terms and Conditions of Use at anytime. Your continued usage of FrumSupport will mean you accept those changes.

If you think you or someone you know has a medical emergency, call your doctor, Hatzolah or 911 immediately. FrumSupport cannot and does not monitor forums and postings and cannot and will not pro-actively obtain help for users in need as FrumSupport does not have the funds or people power to accomplish such tasks and it will infringe on the anonymity of each user. Therefore, FrumSupport’s liability is limited by this paragraph and as further set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Use.